80 minutes in 80 seconds: Coach Brian Melrose indicated it had been a far from smooth preparation leading into this one and that was evident in a somewhat clunky performance. The hosts led 12-3 at the break and did just enough in the second half to keep Easts at arm's length while collecting two further tries for a bonus point win. This one won’t form part of a collectors' box set of Marlins classic, but we'll take the five points and move on.

Where it was won: Although Easts scored two late tries, this win was again built on Manly's iron-clad defence. The Beasties were kept try-less until the 74th minute and never really threatened to pinch the game. The Marlins were hit and miss in attack but their dedication to the D (defence) cannot be questioned. You will not score an easy try against the men in blue

Marlins' best: Sio Tatola, Daniel Alley, Tom Chesters

What they said: "We had a very disrupted prep and I thought we were a bit off. I have to take responsibility for what was a scratchy performance . I did not prepare them well enough. We will need to be better next week to turn around the club's recent history against Eastwood . It's an exciting challenge." – Manly coach Brian Melrose

Odd Spot: It was great to see the Manly Mermaids in action before the main game. The girls put on a terrific display of 7s rugby to beat Easts 25-0.

Where to from here: After three weeks at Manly Oval, the Marlins hit the road to take on 2015 grand final rivals Eastwood at TG Millner.

80 minutes in 80 seconds: With a delicious Marlin burger and cold drinks in hand, a good-sized Manly Oval crowd welcomed the men in blue onto Manly Oval for the first time since mid-July. Most of were expecting a tough and willing encounter against the Shute Shield powerhouse, underlined by a scoreless opening 18 minutes. A try to James 'Cecil' Hilterbrand from a driving maul got the Marlins going and the points kept coming. Further first half tries to Tom Chesters and Ryan Melrose had the hosts 19-0 up at the break and looking the goods. Things got a little scrappy early in the second half before the Marlins clicked back into gear, scoring another three tries – some of them absolute beauties. Check out the YouTube highlights and see attacking rugby at its best. The Marlins' defence wasn't too bad, either.

Where it was won: Manly took control of this game midway through the first half, piling on 19 unanswered points. They lost their way a little in the second half, attempting to finesse their way to victory rather than earn the right. But once that was addressed there was only going to be one outcome. That's two wins from two (both with bonus points) against quality opposition. No wonder Manly Boom Boom could be heard all the way to Terrey Hills

What they said: "We set ourselves a goal of winning all our home games and turning it into a fortress and a place other sides don’t want to visit. To put 36 points on a side like Uni is pretty special. We've surprised a few people with our start but we're not surprised. We put the work in during the pre-season and there is still room for improvement." – fly-half Sam Lane

Odd Spot: The new Marlins burgers were so popular they sold out prior to kick-off, along with the Manly footy cards. The beefed-up match day experience was an all-round hit

Where to from here: It's back to Manly Oval to host Parramatta on Saturday

With two out of three wins at the weekend, and with third grade colts recording their first victory in over a year at Keirle Park on Saturday vs Souths, there is a quiet optimism in the Colts camp. So what’s happened, and what does the season have in store? Let’s find out from our Colts Head Coach, Dave Mills.

So Millsy, tell us what’s different this year?It’s basically all about depth. There is no doubt that last year was a tough year, but we have been working hard during the off season to extend our networks, talking to local schools and with player and coach connections to ensure that we have got the depth required to make a difference across all three grades. We have had some new recruits that have chosen Manly and already have started to shine, and we have some players who stuck with it last season and will now come of age.

So tell us about these new recruits.We have Jack Veitch who is a country boy joining us from Tamworth, and we have Angus Burns, a prop who has come up from Wogga. Both have already made a huge difference to the squad, and are names in the first grade starting 15 this weekend versus Sydney University. Then we have boys like Lachie Armstrong, who as a Bally Boys student who has yet to reach his 18th birthday, will be planning to add to the illustrious Marlins alumni, and has already shown very positive signs.

But not forgetting the boys who slogged it out with us last season. Players like Kai Lackner who came up from South Australia early last year who committed and worked hard to develop himself as a player despite not coming off the field with a win as frequently as he’d hoped or deserved. Those guys will definitely be rewarded as we progress this year.

How about the coaching staff?We’ve been lucky to maintain some continuity with our coaching staff, with the addition of some new faces. Alongside Rob Gallacher, Alex Prendergast, Tim Herbert, Tommy Clifford and myself, new to the team are Tom Crerar from NSW Rugby and Rory Toemoe from Lindfield who will be making a difference with our third grade. We are also joined by Wallabies analyst Damon Edmonds who will be adding an extra layer of expertise and detail to support our coaching staff.

So things are definitely moving forward!Yes, and culturally we have made big steps as well. The performance culture that we have established through the players commitment to training together at the gym has been significant. We have 20 players who are consistently and frequently training together at the gym with our new strength and conditioning coach Max Braham, which, when translated to the field means that things can only get better.

This is however still very much a work in progress. The Colts team has made a commitment to contribute to the Club’s number one objective of winning the club championship in the forthcoming years. Throughout our three grades we are dedicated to this, both in terms of adding to the points tally, but also by providing a robust platform from which the grade players will develop.

This weekend will be a great challenge for us. The boys are looking forward to heading down to Sydney University. I'm particularly interested to see how our third grade boys go as they are high on confidence after their trial and round one wins. Watch this space.

80 minutes in 80 seconds: After a 259-day/eight and a half month wait, the men in blue were finally back in action. The first scoreless 25 minutes gave no real indication of the points to come as both teams felt each other out. Souths were the first to score 15 minutes before the break, taking advantage of Manly being down to 14 men with Kotoni Ale binned. But just two minutes later – with Ale back in action – Manly grabbed the lead via a converted penalty try. The Marlins weren't to be headed from there. Two tries in three minutes early in the second half – Dennis Pili-Gaitau grabbing one and Sam Lane the other - helped the visitors out to a 21-5 lead. Souths hit back with a try on 67 minutes but a late Tommy Chesters double saw them off and earned the Marlins a bonus point into the bargain.

Where it was won: We all know games go for 80 minutes but this one was arguably won and lost in the first 20. Manly was being hammered 9-1 in the penalties and had Ale in the bin during the first quarter of the match but only conceded the one try. It was a monumental defensive performance. Sam Lane's 5/5 with the boot was also critical.

Marlins' best: Sam Lane, Adrian Hall, Sio Tatola

What they said: "We competed well for the full 80 minutes and won the moments that mattered. There's a fair bit of room for improvement but it's a hard place to win, so to come away with five points is very pleasing." – Manly coach Brian 'Billy' Melrose

Where to from here: It's perennial powerhouse Sydney Uni at Manly Oval on Saturday